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  • What Are Antimicrobials?
  • Benefits
    • How Do They Help?
    • Preventing Disease Takes Good Chemistry
    • Increasing Sustainability Takes Good Chemistry
  • Uses
    • Where Are They Used?
    • Material Preservatives
      • Wood Products and Materials
      • Paints and Coatings
    • Household Products
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Public Spaces
      • Apartments & Hotels
      • Gyms
      • Hospitals & Healthcare Settings
      • Office Settings
      • Public Transportation Settings
      • School Settings
  • Oversight
    • How Are They Evaluated for Safety?
    • How They Are Regulated
    • Above & Beyond
  • Resources
  • Learn More
    • Bet You Didn’t Know
    • Surprising Facts
    • FAQs
    • About the Center for Biocide Chemistries
  • Contact Us

What Are Antimicrobials?

Almost everywhere you look, you can find microorganisms, or microbes, living organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. While some microbes are good and important to many ecosystems, others can cause serious illnesses. That’s why we rely on the “good chemistry” of substances known as antimicrobials.

Antimicrobials, also known as biocides, help prevent the growth and spread of unwanted microbes. We rely on a class of antimicrobials known as disinfectants to help kill many disease-causing viruses (like the flu), bacteria (examples include E. coli and salmonella), fungi (such as mold) and other microbes before they can make you and your family sick. Disinfectants are used in hospitals, homes, schools, and countless other spaces to help kill germs, help treat drinking water, help ensure products last longer, and help keep manufacturing processes running safely. As you can see, these good chemistries touch many aspects of our daily lives.

Learn Where Antimicrobials Are Used

Would you like to see the many places and ways that antimicrobials help keep you safe from harmful germs?

Check out our Antimicrobials 101 video below.

Antimicrobials, Antibacterials, Antibiotics – Are They All the Same?

Antimicrobials, antibacterials, antibiotics – they’re all the same, right? Although these sound similar, there are distinct differences between these chemistries.

Antibiotics are antimicrobials but not all antimicrobials are antibiotics. Antimicrobial medicines used to help treat or prevent bacterial infections in humans or animals are antibiotics. And, while antibacterial products help prevent the development of bacteria, antimicrobials have a broader spectrum and can help kill and stop the spread of bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. This website focuses on antimicrobials that help control harmful microbes on inanimate objects and surfaces.

What Kind of ANTI Are You?

If you’re anti-odor, anti-spoil or anti-spread (and who isn’t?), antimicrobials are here to protect you in countless ways each day.

Antimicrobials act as tiny superheroes in our everyday lives. You may not be aware of their powers – but may have been saved by them in your daily routine.

LEARN your ANTI

Are you anti-spoil or anti-germ? Take our quiz to find out!

What Kind of Anti Are You?

1 / 11

Before we begin, what's your name?

Antimicrobials are used to help prevent the spread of germs and disease.

2 / 11

First question. On a scale of 1-5, how frequently do you use antibacterial hand soaps, gels, or foams?

3 / 11

On a scale of 1-5, how frequently do you disinfect your bathroom?

cleaning products in bathroom

4 / 11

On a scale of 1-5, how frequently do you disinfect your kitchen counters?

5 / 11

Did you know that antimicrobials help disinfect, sterilize, or sanitize surfaces?

handrail being cleaned

6 / 11

Do you think that antimicrobial products are used to help protect doctors, patients, staff, and other visitors in healthcare settings?

Antimicrobials help extend the life of products we use and preserve our precious resources.

7 / 11

On a scale of 1-5, how important is it for you to have wood products be protected from decay caused by mold and mildew.

8 / 11

It’s important to me that products last longer.

9 / 11

On a scale of 1-5, how important is it for you to have laundry detergent and household products be protected from spoiling?

10 / 11

It is important for me to have paint products that do not need to be refrigerated.

11 / 11

Antimicrobial preservatives are typically used to preserve which type of products?

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